Device for restraining a swimmer

ABSTRACT

A restraining device used to train a swimmer to swim or used for low impact exercise or physical therapy by keeping the user stationary in a pool and allows the swimmer to switch between a face up and a face down position without stopping, and does not require a large amount of space to utilize nor does it require pool modifications for use, and is easy to use and move.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a restraining device for a swimmer, for training, to engage in low compact exercise, physical therapy, and the like. In particular, it relates to a restraining device for swimmers that allows the user to switch between swimming face up and swimming face down while on their back in a pool.

Description of Related Art

The use of a restraining device in a pool for swimmers, by securing them in-place is well known. This allows the swimmer to not be confined by the length of the pool. Competitive swimmers can use it to increase strength, and instructors can use it to assist with training an individual by monitoring them in a stationary position while in the pool. Additionally, swimmers can use it for low impact exercise or physical therapy. It also has the advantage of not needing to avoid obstacles in the pool, and the turns required at the end of the pool after each lap are avoided.

Current restraining devices have several limitations among them. Many devices need to be modified for use in the pool, require a large amount of space, and are bulky and not easy to move due to size and weight restrictions. In addition, none of the current restraining devices allow the swimmer to switch between swimming face up and swimming face down while utilizing the restraining device.

It would be useful to have a restraining device for swimmers to utilize that doesn't require modification of the pool, is light weight, and allows the user to switch between swimming face up and swimming face down.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a restraining device for a swimmer, for training, to engage in low impact exercise, for physical therapy, and the like, which allows the swimmer to switch between swimming face up and swimming face down without needing to stop.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, there is a restraining device for in-place swimming in a pool, wherein a swimmer is tethered to the device that allows the swimmer to switch between swimming face up and swimming face down comprising:

-   -   a) a system restraint designed to prevent the restraining device         from moving forward during use;     -   b) a rotating arm having a first end and a second end rotatably         attached to the system restraint via a swivel connector, which         can rotate 360 degrees;     -   c) a first cord having a first end of the first cord attached to         the first end of the rotating arm and a second cord having a         first end attached to the second end of the rotating arm; and     -   d) wherein a second end of the first cord and a second end of         the second cord are connected to a harness designed to fit the         swimmer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention using a weight.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention attached to the pool.

FIG. 3 is a close up view of the device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar, or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention.

Definitions

The terms “about” and “essentially” mean ±10 percent.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

The term “comprising” is not intended to limit inventions to only claiming the present invention with such comprising language. Any invention using the term comprising could be separated into one or more claims using “consisting” or “consisting of” claim language and is so intended.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment”, or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

The term “or”, as used herein, is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B, or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps, or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. The term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein, and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, the term “in-place swimming” refers to a swimmer being attached to a device which stops the forward momentum of the swimmer and holds the swimmer at a particular point in a pool, the swimmer being attached to the device using a harness. This is especially useful for small pools, as a technique for observation, to increase strength of the swimmer, for low impact exercise, physical therapy, and the like.

As used herein, the term “swimmer” refers to a person who moves through or on top of the water in a swimming pool without touching the bottom of the pool by moving the limbs, fins, or tail, or by undulating the body, even when the swimmer is in very deep water.

As used herein, the term “tethered” refers to having the device attach to a swimmer for in-place swimming. The attachment is used by having a harness attached to the swimmer. In one embodiment, the harness is placed on or near the waist. In one embodiment the harness is a belt. The harness is attached to 2 bands, which in turn, are connected to a rotatable arm attached to a system restraint. In one embodiment, cords are attached to opposite sides of the harness (e.g., left and right side).

As used herein, the term “switch between swimming face up and swimming face down” refers to a tethered swimmer having the ability to switch back and forth from swimming face up (backstroke), swimming stomach down (Australian crawl), or even swimming on the side (side crawl), without the need to stop and readjust the harness or device.

As used herein, the term “pool” refers to an artificial body of water designed to be used for short distance swimming. It includes both the area containing the water and the area next to the body of water.

As used herein, the term “weight” refers to, in one embodiment, a system restraint, wherein anything heavy can be used to prevent forward movement of the restraining device during use of the restraining device. The weights can be placed anywhere on a surface next to the pool. In other embodiments, the weight is attached to a device, which allows the rotating arm to rotate.

As used herein, the term “sufficient weight” refers to placing enough weight to prevent the system restraint from being pulled into the pool, moving, and the like. The amount of weight is within the skill in the art in view of this disclosure. Factors to determine how much weight include strength and weight of the swimmer, length of any rotating arm, placement of the weight, the surface used for placement, and the like.

As used herein, the term “rotating arm” refers to an elongated member, which is rotatably attached to the system restraint, which can rotate freely 360 degrees. It also has a first end of each of the cords attached in spaced relationship. The rotating arm can be straight, curved, or the like. In one embodiment, the rotating arm is a composition of carbon fiber, fiberglass, rigid rubber, and the like. A curved attachment arm is used to connect the rotating arm with the system restraint.

As used herein, the term “system restraint” refers to a device to hold the restraining device in place (i.e., from moving forward) during use. In one embodiment, it is of a sufficient weight. In another embodiment, the system restraint can be attached to the pool, for example, by means of cleats, eyelets, and the like.

As used herein, the term “rotatably attached” refers to the rotating arm being attached in a manner that allows the arm to rotate 360 degrees during use. In one embodiment, roughly half of the rotating arm is positioned on each side of the point that the rotating arm is connected to.

As used herein, the term “cord” refers to any cord made of a material exhibiting elastic or rubber-like properties, or of a rigid, non-elastomeric material. Each cord has a first end and a second end, with the first cord end being attached to the rotating arm and the second cord end being attached to the harness. Any means for attaching the cord to both the rotating arm and the harness are contemplated. In one embodiment, a quick release device is utilized such as a carabiner clip, or the like.

As used herein, the term “harness” refers to a belt or other device that is adjustable or not, which attaches to a swimmer in a manner that the first and second end of the first and second cord attaches to opposite sides of the harness.

DRAWINGS

Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the restraining device 1 used for in-place swimming of the present invention. In this embodiment, system restraint 26 is a weight. There are hooks 5 attached to pool eyelets 41 that attach the weight 26 to curved attachment arm 20, but it may be by any means of attaching or associating the weights 26 with the swivel connector 6. The straight, rotating arm 3 is attached to swivel connector 6, which allows full rotation 7 of the straight, rotating arm 3 and the curved attachment arm 20 is attached to pool eyelets 41.

Cords 8 a and 8 b (elastomeric or non-elastomeric) are shown with their first end attached to opposite ends of straight, rotating arm 3 via carabiner clips 9, which hook onto loops 10 mounted in the first and second end of the straight, rotating arm 3. The second end of cords 8 a and 8 b are shown attached to harness (belt) 11 via additional carabiner clips 9. The harness (belt) 11 is adjustable to fit the swimmer 30.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the straight, rotating arm 3 is attached to the curved attachment arm 20, and wherein the curved attachment arm 20 is connected to fixed pool eyelets 41 via hooks 5, rather than to a weight. The pool eyelets 41 are connected to bar 42, which is attached to the pool deck 43.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of a curved attachment arm 20 attached to the straight, rotating arm 3 via a swivel connector 6.

Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit or characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials, and the like apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the applicant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A restraining device for in-place swimming in a pool, wherein a swimmer is tethered to the device and allows the swimmer to switch between swimming face up and swimming face down comprising: a) a system restraint designed to prevent the restraining device from moving forward during use; b) a rotating arm having a first end and a second end rotatably attached to the system restraint via a swivel connector, which can rotate 360 degrees; c) a first cord having a first end of the first cord attached to the first end of the rotating arm and a second cord having a first end attached to the second end of the rotating arm; and d) wherein a second end of the first cord and a second end of the second cord are connected to a harness designed to fit the swimmer.
 2. The restraining device for in-place swimming in a pool according to claim 1, wherein the rotating arm is straight.
 3. The restraining device for in-place swimming in a pool according to claim 1, wherein the rotating arm is curved.
 4. The restraining device for in-place swimming in a pool according to claim 1, wherein the harness is adjustable in size.
 5. The restraining device for in-place swimming in a pool according to claim 1, wherein the first cord and the second cord are attached to the rotating arm by a quick release clamp. 